My Body Is My Canvas

Poem I came up with while bored in math class one day. I would love some feedback.

My body is my canvas,

And I shall choose to decorate it as I please,

Whether it be with ink, blood, scars, or bruises,

This is my body,

And I shall wear my stories on my skin,

Show the world that I have seen hell,

Looked the devil in the eyes through the reflection of a blade,

Positioned his claws on my skin,

And felt his caress on my body,

His touch leaves words that lace through my skin,

Telling stories and marking each of his stays,

Like my body is a guest book and he has to sign in every time he visits,

Never once did I ask him to stop or step away,

I wear my skin like a badge of honor,

Proving to people that I am strong,

Reminding myself that each time I have fallen I have gotten back up again,

I stand here,

On my two legs that time and time again have walked me away from situations beyond my control,

These legs took all the hits for me,

Because after all,

When you're trying to knock someone down where else do you aim?,

I stand here,

Knowing full well that there where times when I wished my legs would give out,

But I'm glad they didn't,

And if the price I have to pay for looking the devil in the eyes,

Are just some scars,

Then bring on the pain,

Bring on each sting, or stab, or scrap,

But let me keep standing,

Let me stand and stand stronger than before,

Stand up here and tell my story,

So that maybe someone else who has the devil visiting them can hear,

And they can know that strength is alive,

And I invite them to stand too,

My body is my canvas,

And I shall choose to decorate it as I please,

But I have shut my doors to the devil,

Closed my guest book cause his company is no longer needed,

My legs bare new badges of pride that are filled with color and life,

They stand me up with a sense of relief,

Knowing that late nights with the devil are over,

Pain has been replaced with artwork,

Beautiful and bright,

The ink flows through my skin over the old jagged crevices,

But still telling my story,

My story of strength has become a picture book instead of a battle ground,

But I can still tell the tales of bloodshed,

My body is my canvas,

And I shall choose to decorate it as I please,

So please do not see my scars or tattoos and think you know me,

Do not judge based on what you see,

Because what you see is just a preview,

Of what I went through and how I got here,

This is my skin,

And I will wear it with pride.

Author's Note

I know I'm not the best poet. I'm open to any feedback. Thank you for reading.